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NABSW
has had a long and storied history with South Africa, Nelson Mandela,
and the African National Congress. As I spent moments in my daily
ritual of meditation and reflection, I could not get Nelson Mandela out
of my mind. When I get tired and discouraged, I call upon our
ancestors, Tubman, Malcolm, Garvey and Martin to get me back on track.
My struggles are nothing compared with theirs. I will now add Mandela to
my inspirational list.

When
I think of South Africa, in addition to Mandela, I also think of my
predecessors Cenie Williams and Lenny Dunston who led us to that country
when it suffered under apartheid and when it threw off the chains of
oppression. Through their perseverance, NABSW connected with the people
and the cause of liberation and in our small way we assisted in the
freeing of Mandela. For those unaware, NABSW’s entire delegation in
2012 was invited to a State Dinner by the South African Parliament
leaders and NABSW was conferred the status of being a full member of the
ANC, an honor rarely given to non-South Africans.

Mandela, a
Xhosa, was affectionately called Madiba, the name of the Thembu clan to
which he belonged. But more importantly, to many of us and the children
of the world, Mandela is the embodiment of Tata, which means "esteemed
Father,” also in his native tongue. Tata Mandela was the glowing
example of how you put Ma’at into action.

Ma’at
is the African Centered understanding of how the universe functions and
is best described as a clear understanding of truth, justice,
righteousness, balance, order, harmony, propriety and reciprocity. In
the South African Constitution, Mandela made sure that those principles
were made part of that important document. Our Constitution in the
United States, for example, never mentions the words, justice or truth.
Can it be because we have no concepts of truth or justice in the United
States worthy of the written words?

Mandela
demonstrated through his life that African people are the hope and the
salvation for the world. No other philosophies, principles, religion
and ways of living could have resulted in the progress seen in South
Africa in 20 years, that have not been accomplished in over 200 years in
the United States. Such changes as voter participation, equitable
political representation, over two million homes built for the poor,
salaries increased over 300% for the lowest paid workers, universal
electricity and universal healthcare are but to name a few of the steps
forward. Humanity began not too far from where Mandela will have his
final rest, but his work to restore humanity in all of us shall always
be a challenge that we should accept and accomplish. The transition
back to humanity is our continual job in the future and in our present
time. Mandela through his life’s example has laid the foundation for
our work.

Let
us not cry for Mandela but celebrate his life through song, dance and
remembrances. Let us stand strong against the oppression and inhumanity
that still plagues our world. Let us work to build on the legacy of
President Nelson Mandela, focusing all of our efforts to eliminate
illness, hunger, homelessness, pain, suffering, injustice and
inequality. Tata
Mandela did much, and let us thank the Creator that he, Tata, left
challenges for us to complete using and acting in our Way, the Way of
Ma’at. Ase! Ase! Ase!